Traditional Ruler Interrogated Over Rape

The Ondo State Police Command has interrogated the Olusupare of Supare Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Kasali Adedeji, for allegedly attempting to rape a housewife in the town.

Our correspondent learnt that the monarch was questioned at Criminal Investigation Department on Saturday.

Adedeji, according to a source at the CID, explained details of what happened between him and the petitioner, Mrs Comfort Awogbami, on May 4, 2012.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Adeniran Aremu, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday.

He said, “It is true that Olusupare was invited on the strength of a petition against him.

“The Commissioner of Police referred the case to an appropriate quarter and the officer in charge asked the monarch some questions on the issue. The monarch had since been asked to go back to the palace but the case is under investigation.”

The petitioner is currently standing trial at the Supare Magistrate’s Court alongside the monarch’s wife, Sherifat Adedeji, for fighting in public.

The police had accused the duo of engaging in a conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

But Awogbami petitioned the Commissioner of Police alleging bias in the handling of the case by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the town.

In the letter,  Awogbamila alleged that the monarch attempted to rape her in his wife’s apartment.

She said, “The Kabiyesi had invited me to his wife’s apartment on the said date at about 8pm. On getting to that house, he was alone at home.

“He asked me if I ever knew my husband was having an affair with his wife, an allegation which I denied. He therefore informed me that he would like to do the same thing with me.

“Thinking he was only joking, the kabiyesi went on to hold me and assaulted me, stripped me naked until I raised the alarm which drew the attention of neighbours who came in to rescue me. His wife was not at home as that time.

“I fainted and was later admitted at the General Hospital, Iwaro-Oka, on that same night and was discharged the next day.”

Awogbamila said the case was reported at the police station but alleged that the DPO mounted pressure on her to drop the case.

She said she vowed to pursue the case to a logical conclusion.

However, she said she was surprised when she was arraigned before a magistrate’s court for fighting in public with the monarch’s wife.